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Since this mound was not known anywhere from written sources, no one knew about it before and did not look for it. A few years ago, a geologist, who had discovered several dozen mounds in Lithuania, discovered several finds on a cliff during his hobbyist hike. Then a more detailed investigation began. Archaeologists call this place unique in Lithuania.
Throughout the summer, the works boiled on the territory of the Kukuliškės mound, and starting in August, archaeologists moved to the territory of the ancient settlement, where an excavation trench of about ten square meters was dug. This is where the hidden historical treasures were seen.
“We saw unreal things! Due to the fact that the place is very humid and humid, organic matter remains: wood can survive, fabrics, bones, wood products. This is a very rare case in archeology. The only such place from this period is Luokesa, where there are wooden fortifications. This, in Kukuliškės, is the second object from this period, where organics are well preserved. Finally, we have such a treasure in western Lithuania. From a scientific point of view, this is a huge thing. Most of the time when we investigate, organic products do not exist, we know people’s lives from stone products, some bones, ceramics, but we do not see a very wide spectrum of household items as they lived because they do not survive . Here we have wooden constructions, various wooden products are already kept in the museum. What a good survival! We found a lot of chips, tree bark, we recognized where birch, where alder, ”said the archaeologist.
We saw unreal things! Due to the fact that the place is very humid and humid, organic matter remains: wood can survive, fabrics, bones, wood products. This is a very rare case in archeology.
Found fish and animal bones
The researchers were particularly pleased with the animal and fish bones, allowing them to learn even more about life at the time. The exploration of the mound found little and abundant bone material. The fish bones will help reveal facts about the sea. Animal bones will let you know what was being hunted and how.
Bone products were also found: pins, lynxes, razors, pins, which were used as jewelry. Bronze period bone products are a real rarity in western Lithuania. This is extremely valuable information for scientists who will be able to compare finds of the same age in eastern and western Lithuania.
A mysterious find
What could this exposed wooden structure be until you dare to guess? The archaeologist says the find raised more questions than answers.
“Definitely not a building … Probably a construction related to some economic activity, we will say the purpose later, when we sit down at the computers, the work in the laboratory will rotate, the material will be processed. Now it is a secret what those bunches were doing there, “said M. Urbonaitė-Ube.
Photo of Seaside Regional Park. Finds in the mound of Kukuliškės
The object is not random
When asked how she was able to find the location of the settlement with such precision, the expert said that a lot of work had to be done to determine what was in this place and it was not a coincidence, so she did not doubt the exact location when excavating.
“In 2018, when we found a settlement, we drilled wells using geophysical methods, we saw the arrangement of the layers, we saw a thick cultural layer, it is a formed layer left by people. We decided to investigate the overpass instead of this drill, and this strategy yielded more than we expected, because it is unique to find wooden constructions, “said the woman.
Found amber
Amber was found both on the mound and in the settlement site.
“That amber again … Where we are going is that amber. This is the third excavation investigated, and a lot at the mound site and at the settlement. This reaffirms that he collected amber and it was very, very important in their lives. We found a cluster, seven amber among wooden structures, as if hidden like a mini-treasure. A handful seems to have been placed and hidden. Kukuliškės is a great means to detect it, because there are few objects where it was investigated and found “, said M. Urbonait -Ubė.
It has been hypothesized that in the Bronze Age, the use of amber declined and its use completely ceased. It is now believed that amber probably has not lost its meaning.
Hundreds of finds
Hundreds of finds have been discovered, it is estimated that the number will reach a thousand. This is the result of this year’s investigation. The washed soil samples have already gone to the laboratories, where plant seeds will be searched. The bones of the animals went to the Vilnius laboratories. The results are expected in half a year, then it will be clear in detail what people ate there and what they lived for.
Soil samples on the mound allowed archaeologists to determine that it was here that the inhabitants were the first to eat lentils and beans at that time. These cultures were first discovered in Lithuania here.
Photo by Miglė Urbonaitė-Ube / Archaeologists wash and handle the specimens found on the Kukuliškės mound
“We contribute to the history of Lithuanian gastronomy. Lentil porridge is older than it looked, and the first to eat it were meatballs. This is not only a national discovery, but it also covers a wider region, ”said M. Urbonaitė-Ubė.
The works carried out on the mound and the accesses were financed by the Klaip District Municipality, da, which owns the territory, as well as the Seaside Regional Park.
The work is expected to continue next year as many unanswered questions remain. This year, archaeologists completed the work and the excavations were buried.
“I will be working for the third year, here is my heart and my scientific ambitions. This object is yours, beloved … ”, says the archaeologist, who dreams of going back to work again next year.
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